Nob Hill - let’s plant some trees!  There is still time before the summer heat settles in.  The NHNA Tree Lovers’ Fund will help foot the bill!

Benefits of Trees.  Along with their beauty, trees improve air quality, reduce stormwater runoff, and fight climate change through carbon sequestration and protection from the “heat island effect” (i.e., concentration of heat in locations composed primarily of concrete, asphalt, and rock).  In addition, trees protect biodiversity and increase property values.  Strategically placed shade trees can provide energy savings to homeowners.

Want to plant a tree?  Apply to the Tree Lover’s Fund for a 50% price match, to a maximum of $50, per eligible tree planted. (See details below.)  This is in addition to the 25% rebates available through the 505Outside Treebate program.

Like Nob Hill itself, our tree canopy was established decades ago. That means many trees are, or soon will be, facing the end of their lifespans. Without new plantings, Nob Hill will be left without our beloved, and protective, tree canopy.  Our goal: plant 26 trees in 2026!

NHNA Tree Canopy Restoration Committee

The fine print: 

Maximizing Success.  To be eligible for funding from the NHNA Tree Lovers’ Fund, recipients will follow best-practices to assure Right Tree, Right Place.  

Right Tree:

• The selected tree is listed in Climate-Ready Trees: Tree Species Selection Guidelines for the Albuquerque Metro Area for the relevant planting site type (e.g., xeriscaped area, small Green Stormwater Infrastructure features, etc.) OR The tree is included in the ABC Water Authority TreeBate program, as noted in Xeriscaping: The Complete How-to Guide (see tree list beginning on page 12).
• The selected tree is suitable to site conditions (e.g., overhead clearance, soil area for root development).
• The tree is planted using best practices as established by Tree New Mexico (How to Plant a Tree; 5 Steps for Proper Tree Planting). Tree Canopy Committee members are available to assist with proper tree planting.  Email: theboard@nobhill-nm.com.
• While not a requirement, the Tree Canopy Committee recommends the planting of smaller trees (e.g., 2-3 gallon trees) as opposed to larger trees.  Smaller tree become established in our native soils quickly and present less concern with girdling roots.  After 5 years, 2-gallon trees have often caught up with 5-gallon trees in size due to their stronger start.  

Right Place:

• The Owner accepts responsibility for identifying irrigation lines, utility lines, and/or structures that should not be disturbed in the general area where the tree would be planted.
• The Owner accepts responsibility for proper watering (Everything You Need to Know About Effective Tree Watering), mulching, and care of the tree.
• The Owner agrees to pull back any existing landscape fabric/plastic to at least five feet away from the trunk of the tree.  For best growing conditions, landscape fabric should be removed altogether.  
• The Owner accepts responsibility for protecting the tree from damage (e.g., trunk damage from lawn mowers or weed whackers which can result in early tree death). 

Community benefit:

• The Owner acknowledges that the tree planting site will not exceed 20 feet from the street.  This is consistent with the goal to subsidize trees that will benefit the community at large as well as the property owner.